Climeworks Gen 3 Doubles CO2 Capture, Cuts Energy Use

In a significant step forward for carbon capture technology, Climeworks has successfully tested its Generation 3 Direct Air Capture (DAC) system at large scale. The innovation represents an important step toward scalable and energy-efficient capture of atmospheric carbon. The new system, powered by Svante's next-generation structured adsorbents, shows double the CO₂ capture rate and 50% less energy consumption than the company's Generation 2 systems currently running in Iceland.

The test, held at Climeworks' commercial-scale testing facility in Muttenz, Switzerland, occurred between May 2024 and January 2025. During more than 1,300 operating cycles, the Gen 3 DAC units always performed as anticipated or better, reporting results within ±5% of projected measurements. The findings were confirmed under extreme real-world conditions such as sub-freezing temperatures and high humidity—demonstrating the durability and reliability of the technology.

Fundamentally driving this technological innovation is Svante's structured adsorbent material. Unlike conventional DAC system materials, these adsorbents are specifically designed to quicken both adsorption and desorption stages of CO₂ capture. They require far less air resistance, resulting in faster cycle times and higher throughput—all achieved while significantly conserving energy. The outcome is an extremely energy-efficient and scalable answer to one of the planet's most imminent climate issues.

"Proving DAC technology at scale and under natural conditions is essential for validating performance and durability prior to large-scale deployment," Climeworks said. This strategy is assisting in ensuring that forthcoming carbon capture infrastructure is not only efficient but also robust and economically feasible at industrial scales.

Svante's adsorbents were also shown to be durable through trials, showing mechanical robustness and maintaining high performance over very long cycles of operation. The materials retained their structural integrity and adsorption levels even in adverse environmental conditions. This strength is crucial for ensuring long-term stability of operation, which is important as DAC firms start to scale up their operations across the world.

Additionally, Svante's adsorbents are produced using a low-carbon footprint technology, which makes them compliant with wider goals of sustainability and aligns with Climeworks' climate-positive business mission. Climeworks and Svante's collaboration is being cited as a model of how cooperation between technology developers and materials suppliers has the potential to speed up the commercialization readiness of DAC technologies.

"This milestone is not only a victory for technological performance but also for the future of the DAC supply chain," Climeworks underscored. The company believes that long-term collaborations are a key for establishing a solid, professionalized, and globally scalable carbon removal industry.

Successful commercialization of Gen 3 DAC systems is an imperative facilitator for Climeworks to reach its vision of scaling up to megaton-level carbon capture capacity. As world climate goals become more pressing, the necessity of having access to secure, energy-efficient, and affordable DAC solutions has become more evident. The Generation 3 platform takes Climeworks a major step forward toward achieving those objectives.

Climeworks' Gen 2 plant in Iceland, called Orca, was an industry leader when opened but the Gen 3 system today sets a new benchmark for performance in the DAC industry. Having double the capture efficiency and consuming much less energy, it's the next level of carbon removal technology—designed to be deployed at the gigaton scale required to hit mid-century climate goals.

Gen 3 DAC development also indicates advances in the establishment of a sustainable industrial ecosystem for carbon capture. With companies such as Climeworks and Svante working to mature and scale their technologies, they are also setting the stage for an advanced DAC supply chain—one that can support the widespread deployment of climate solutions across the globe.

As world leaders seek carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to balance out emissions reductions, Climeworks' achievement is a shining light. CO₂ removal at scale—affordable, consistent, and responsibly—is now closer than ever to becoming a reality. With its Generation 3 technology, Climeworks is setting a transparent path for the carbon removal industry, making visions a reality.